What Bullet?

[Logos]

When buying the cheaper practice ammo in .38 special or .357 Magnum......you have some choices in bullets.

If it's possible that the ammo might have to function for self-defense in a pinch......which is a better choice in the low-price stuff--the 158 grain semi-wadcutter or a lighter (110-125 grain) JHP???

I'm thinking that the cheaper grades of JHPs might not be built well enough to do what a JHP is supposed to do (in other words, might fail to expand).......while the 158 grain SWC is a simple and reliable design that will always do exactly what it's supposed to do.

Ideas?

 

[YosemiteSam357]

Your thinking is probably sound, but you'll probably get as many different opinions as you get replies to this topic.

Good luck.

-- Sam

 

[DrLaw]

Where are you shooting for practice that you have bad guys around?

If I was shooting for mere practice, I would use wadcutters. In a pinch they also make a bad wound channel.

For practice for real stuff, I would still use wadcutters to know where the bullets are going on the targets, and once adjusted for that (up, down, right or left) from the way you hold the gun, run about 25 of the stuff that you would carry for real self-defense through at the last of your day's shooting with that gun. Gets you used to it, you can see where the bullets are going to hit, and you don't have the sore hand from using the real self-defense stuff first before your shooting session.

The Doc is out now.

 

[jfh]

know the specifications for the ammo:

even in 'cheaper' practice ammo, 125-gr. JHP bullets may be loaded to higher performance levels--VERY high levels, AAMOF.

If you don't want the full-bore load for practice, or to shoot in your lightweight carry, know what you are buying.

Otherwise, it's pure speculation.

Jim H.

 

[wcwhitey]

I would say your thinking in .38 special is sound, nothing wrong with a 158 swc. In .357 mag even underloaded factory ammo should have no problem expanding.

 

[Logos]

I'm talking about stuff like the Winchester White Box and the UMC equivalent and others of that lower price level with JHP bullets.

Although velocities might be fine, I'm questioning the quality of the bullet and the likelihood that it would fail to expand.

No, there aren't any bad guys where I practice, but if I'm buying ammo I might as well get something that would work as well as possible if my premium rounds were not with me for some reason or lost, strayed or just all shot up.

I do stay away from the FMJ round nose ammo, which seems to be getting more common while SWCs are getting harder to find.

I'm just wondering if the cheaper JHPs are gonna be much better than the FMJs.

At least with the 158 grain SWC I'll get a sure level of performance and penetration that will stay consistent.

 

[dispatch]

I go with 158 grain SWC or Flat Point FMJ. Just my unscientific opinion- I favor the biggest, heaviest bullet available.

 

[bluetopper]

Go with the cheapest.

Shot placement is King, penetration is Queen, everything else is Angels dancing in the wind.

 

[mavracer]

Shot placement is King, penetration is Queen, everything else is Angels dancing in the wind.

great line love it.
IMHO 38 std pressure I'd use 158 SWC for better penatration and because most 110-125 bullets in the cheaper ammo is the same bullet used in 38+p and 357 they are too heavily constructed to expand reliably at std pressure 38 velocity. if your practicing with 38+p wwwb and UMC 125s are ok. so I would tend to use wichever shot POA. in 357 it really dosn't need much help from bullet construction any 110-125 JHP is gonna work pretty good (the fed classic old school 125 jhp was/is concidered one of the best SD loads ever)
YMMV

 

[ronto]

If you're serious about SD and I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't be, practice with your carry ammo...For example, never practice with 38's and carry 357's...Don't need any surprises when it really counts.

 

[Logos]

Idunno about that last.....practice with a .22 rimfire identical to your carry weapon has been SOP for as long as I can remember.

Practice with your carry weapon with lighter loads, I think, is a good idea and will pay off as long as you also shoot a few .357s at each practice session.

 

[ChristopherG]

In my experience, what is more important than having the same bullet type or the same velocity is having the SAME BULLET WEIGHT. It will put you at or very close to the same POI and get you used to the same basic recoil impulse.

So the first step in selecting a practice ammo that COULD be pressed into service would be to settle on a carry load. Have you done so yet? If you'll carry 158's (most accurate in all my .38/.357 arms), then a moderately loaded SWC would make a GREAT practice round that has the added virtue of performing with 100% predictability if one ever actually needed to shoot something with it. If/when you get around to practicing with speedloaders, those sharp SWC edges will also train you to be precise and keep your eyes on the holes! If you want to use 125's, then a cheaper JHP might have a better chance of reliable function (because of greater velocity) than would a heavier one.

I don't find that practicing with a slightly more moderate load makes any detectable difference when shooting heavier duty loads under pressure--but I'm talking about a slight difference, not going from 148 gr wadcutters at 700 fps to 125 gr JHP's at 1450. That's not apples and oranges, it's apples and alligators.

 

[Stainz]

I prefer the 158gr LHPSWC +P .38 Special load, like the Remington R38S12. This round - aka 'The FBI load' - is a known performer - but pricey - $30/50 now, when you find it. I was directed to an 'old friend' - Georgia Arms (1-800-624-6861) - for their # G38E 158gr LSWC +P .38 Special - $17.50/100. Well, it's not a LSWC - it's a LSWCHP! And, it is ballistically close to those Remingtons I 'carry' - so it is my practice ammo now, in both my 2" 10 and 642. Standard 158gr LSWC are a tad milder - same price. Both are reloaded ammo - a first for me from them - but super quality. I have use new loads from them for years - and never had a bad round. Great folks, too.

Stainz